Meet the Team

Southern Brooks Community Partnerships is led by Trustees and a Leadership team. Each one brings unique talents, skills and interests. We are passionate about helping people reach their full potential, and building strong communities powered by people.

We hold a comprehensive register of conflicts of interests for Trustees, please contact the office on 01454 868570 or email office@southernbrooks.org.ukto request a copy.

Trustee Board

Jules Moore, Chair

After finishing University, Jules gained a commission in the Army and spent three years on a variety of postings at home and overseas. She subsequently worked for a number of third sector organisations: The Magistrates’ Association, Cambridgeshire & District Law Society, Bees Abroad and Bristol Children’s Scrapstore, specialising in office development, administration and events management. She combined this with running a smallholding specialising in rare and native breeds.

In 2009, she expanded this to provide rural business skills courses; giving lectures, running a volunteer programme and writing for specialist smallholding magazines. After seven years, she converted the business to two equestrian livery yards and she became a Trustee of Southern Brooks in 2017. She also volunteers with the Royal British Legion and Adopt a Beehive. She is the current Chair of Southern Brooks.

Margaret Slucutt, Vice Chair

Margaret spent her work career in housing, health and social care. She worked in various London Local Authorities before moving into the voluntary sector in the early 80’s. She then worked for national and local charities across the country.

Since retiring Margaret has been the Chair of Community Ignite, which has now merged with Southern Brooks Community Partnerships. She is currently a volunteer baker for One25, the Bristol District volunteer rep for MHA, and Chair of South Gloucestershire Over 50’s Forum as well as very involved in her local church. Margaret joined the Board of Southern Brooks in 2017 and is currently Vice Chair.

Andy Bell, Treasurer

Andy has over 37 years experience in a variety of central government roles, predominantly in project finance, budget management, VAT and, most recently, financial accounting policy. A Chartered Management Accountant since 2014, with a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the University of the West of England, Andy completed his Masters degree at the University of Worcester in 2004 and has been a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians since 2001.

In addition to his role with Southern Brooks, Andy is Treasurer of the Carer’s Support Centre and he was the Chair of BREAD Youth Project in Lawrence Weston, overseeing its merger into Oasis Community Partnership in Spring 2018. Like BREAD, Southern Brooks is located in the heart of the community it serves and this, together with the diverse nature of the work it undertakes, was what attracted Andy to the organisation.

Lucy Hamid, Trustee

Lucy studied social science at Bristol University and has been involved professionally and as a volunteer in many organisations working for equal rights in society, both internationally and in the UK. She has worked as Town Clerk for Patchway Town Council during an expansion of the Council’s role in developing the community.

Lucy’s involvement with the charity started when Avon County Council asked a few people from Patchway and Bradley Stoke to form a committee to set up a community development organisation for the two communities. Avon paid the salary for the worker and the committee directed the work with the aim to draw together two very different communities. Later the representation on the committee was through community associations on each side and Lucy represented Coniston Community Association on the committee for about 20 years, subsequently becoming an individual member.

Professional Qualifications:

BSc Sociology & Social Administration

Certificate in Local Council Administration

David Bell, Trustee

David was involved in Filton People and when SBCP took over its roles he joined SBCP. Over the years he has been involved in many voluntary and community sector groups, etc. David loves serving the community.

Professional Qualifications:PGCE
Masters of Research in Politics
Post Graduate Diploma in Social Sciences
BA in Politics

Rachel Hunt, Trustee

Rachel Hunt is currently studying for a masters in Sociology, with a particular focus on issues of social inequality and sustainability. She works for the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, and has previous experience teaching. Rachel became a Southern Brooks Trustee in 2018.

Paul Timmins, Trustee

Paul has spent most of his career in a wide variety of management roles within financial services and is currently Head of Compliance at a private bank. As well as specialist risk, audit and compliance skills he brings useful general management and business development experience. When not working at the bank, Paul runs his own business in waste management and recycling.

A South Gloucestershire resident, Paul believes in giving everyone the opportunity to achieve their potential. He has previously been a non-executive director of The Insurance Charities and National Skills Academy Financial Services. He joined the board of Southern Brooks in 2019.

Leadership Team

Julie Close: Chief Executive

Julie’s passion and excitement about communities is based on her experience of growing up in Wales with street parties, international exchanges and lots of opportunities for people to get together to talk about the things that were important to them.

Julie was a Brownie and Guide leader and believes in the role of the voluntary and community sector to provide opportunities for people to contribute to their communities.
Julie is an experienced youth worker, having worked both for the local authority and voluntary sector. She started work at Southern Brooks as the Community Development worker, the only employee of the organisation, in 1988. She has led the organisation through significant change and development.

Katie Donovan-Adekanmbi: Business Development Manager

Katie is particularly passionate about Social Justice and believes everyone has the right to ‘self-actualisation’.
Katie has worked for Southern Brooks Community Partnership for 6 years. Starting her career journey as a Community Development Worker in Filton. Katie has since worked across teams such as Family Support, Youth Work and Training and is now the Business Development Manager.

‘No two days are ever the same. The variety keeps me energised and my job interesting’.

Professional Qualifications:
BA Hons International Relations & Studies in Social Psychology
NVQ 3 in Community Development
Foundation PRINCE 2

Alison Findlay: Health & Wellbeing Manager

Alison is passionate about equality and social justice and actively campaigns to reduce period poverty. She is a highly-regarded leader and manager with a long history of working in the public and voluntary sectors in children and family services.

She is highly-principled with strong values and brings a unique combination of empathy and management skills to build teams and achieve outcomes. Alison is a trustee of a youth work charity in South Bristol and a member of a school academy council.

Ternaya Cummings: Employment, Skills & Youth Development Manager

Ternaya is very passionate about youth work, empowering young people and their families to improve their lives. Ternaya started working for Southern Brooks in 2007 as a detached youth worker and has worked in numerous roles over the years such as family support worker, over 50’s projects, training, youth work and employment programs for young people. Ternaya is now the Learning and Youth Development Manager.

Ternaya enjoys a challenge and is always looking for innovate ideas to develop the work Southern Brooks deliver.

Catherine is committed to supporting lifelong learning and enjoys seeing individuals reach their full potential. She has previously worked in the heritage sector managing education, volunteer and community programmes. She is a true believer in the power of volunteering and has volunteered over 10 years with the Newman Holiday Trust running respite holidays for children with additional needs.

Professional qualifications:
Certificate in Leadership and Management
BA English and History of Art
Level 2 AET

Caroline Browne: Yate Lead & Cohesion Manager

I am a passionate advocate for equality and diversity and love working with different individuals and communities. My background comes from supporting refugee and migrant communities around the country but now I've settled in the South West and am loving the opportunity to work with communities in South Gloucestershire to explore difference and make sure everyone is welcome!
Outside of work I love to travel, explore, go camping and be outdoors.

Professional Qualifications:
BA International Development
MSc Politics of Rights Conflict and Justice
Level 2 AET